March 16, 2013

WAILUKU - A Lahaina man arrested for selling marijuana to an undercover police officer during an operation at Banyan Tree Park has been sentenced to a five-year prison term.

The arrest occurred the evening of Aug. 25, 2010, after the police Crime Reduction Unit officer made contact with David Pakaki at the park and asked where he could buy marijuana, according to court records.

Pakaki said he would sell marijuana to the officer, and they walked to nearby King Kamehameha III Elementary School, where the officer paid Pakaki $90 for two plastic bags containing 3.78 grams of marijuana, police reported. In a search of Pakaki's backpack, police reported finding crystal methamphetamine and plastic bags containing marijuana.

Pakaki later admitted that he sold marijuana, according to court records. Pakaki told police that he is a servant of the Lord and helps the sick "by selling them their medicine."

Although he suspected the buyer might be a police officer, Pakaki told police, "he cannot turn someone away because he would then be ignoring the Lord," according to court records.

Pakaki had pleaded no contest to third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, possessing drug paraphernalia, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and second-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

According to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, Pakaki has 27 prior convictions dating to 1988. In February 2005, he was sentenced to a five-year prison term for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.